AFGE Pride (LGBT & Allies)

What is AFGE Pride?

The Women’s and Fair Practices Departments are committed to promoting the civil, human, women’s and workers’ rights of all federal and D.C government employees. AFGE Pride is a national program designed to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) membership as well as their allies and to educate all of AFGE on the workplace and safety issues facing this community within AFGE and the Labor Movement.

Many of the goals of LGBT members are the same as their co-workers; job security, opportunities for advancement, benefits, pay, and a respectful, dignified, and safe work environment are top priorities. Unfortunately because of homophobia and transphobia in the ranks of management and labor leadership, LGBT union members frequently face specific barriers in receiving the same benefits and working conditions that other union members get under the same contract. This is a matter of equal treatment and a cause that the union should take on.

Goals of the AFGE Pride Program

To help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and potential members feel welcomed and valued in AFGE

To facilitate efforts by AFGE to oppose workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression

To provide educational support to the leaders and members of AFGE that will ensure respect for all employees, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender federal and D.C. government employees

To promote best practices in the workplace to support LGBT union members and encourage Locals to adopt them via contract language, union policies and union advocacy

To work within AFGE and the Labor community to organize support of equality and justice for the LGBT community and their families

To engage the LGBT community to support union campaigns for every member’s rights at work.

For more information on the AFGE Pride Program or to receive AFGE Pride educational material, please contact Caniesha Washington, Program Specialist in the Women’s and Fair Practices Departments by phone 202-639-6417 or email [email protected].

Pride At Work is a nonprofit organization and an officially recognized constituency group of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations). Click here to learn more.